How to Get a Mobile Food Unit Permit in Atlanta, GA

If you want to run a food truck, trailer, or other mobile food unit in Atlanta, GA, you’ll need the right permits and approvals before you start serving. Atlanta has specific rules for where you can operate, how your unit must be built, and which agencies you must work with.

This guide walks through how mobile unit food permits work in Atlanta, who issues them, and what to expect step by step.

Who Regulates Mobile Food Units in Atlanta?

In the Atlanta area, permits for a mobile food unit (MFU) are typically handled by:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Division
  For most of the City of Atlanta within Fulton County.
  Main office (commonly used for plan review and permitting):
  10 Park Place South SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 613-1303 (main Fulton County Board of Health line – ask for Environmental Health)

• Cobb & Douglas or DeKalb County Boards of Health, if your commissary kitchen or main base of operation is in those counties and you operate in parts of Metro Atlanta.

Within the City of Atlanta, you may also need:

• A City of Atlanta business license / occupational tax certificate
• A City of Atlanta vending or food truck permit (for some public spaces and events)
• Zoning or location approval depending on where you park and serve

The main rule of thumb:

If your commissary is in Fulton County and you’re operating in Atlanta, you’ll work closely with Fulton County Environmental Health.

What Counts as a Mobile Food Unit in Atlanta?

Atlanta (following Georgia food code) generally treats a mobile food unit as:

• A vehicle-mounted or towable unit designed to be moved (e.g., food truck, food trailer)
• A self-contained food service operation, often with built-in handwashing and dishwashing equipment, refrigeration, and cooking appliances
• A unit that returns to a commissary or base of operation regularly for cleaning, restocking, and wastewater disposal

Common examples in Atlanta:

• Food trucks at Atlanta Food Truck Park, festivals, or breweries
• BBQ or taco trailers serving in parking lots
• Smaller mobile carts (ice cream, hot dogs, coffee) – sometimes regulated slightly differently, but still under health and local permitting rules

If you’re not sure whether your setup counts as a “mobile food unit” (vs. a temporary event vendor or catering operation), the Environmental Health office can help you classify it before you invest in equipment.

Key Permits and Approvals You’ll Need

Most mobile food operators in Atlanta need some combination of the following:

1. Health Department Mobile Food Service Permit

Issued by the county board of health (often Fulton County for Atlanta).

This covers:

• Food safety (temperature control, handwashing, cross-contamination prevention)
• Equipment and layout inside your truck or trailer
• Water and waste systems
• Commissary use (if you’re not fully self-contained)

You’ll usually be issued:

• A permit to operate as a mobile food service
• A health inspection grade card to post visibly on the unit

2. Commissary Agreement / Base of Operation

Atlanta and Georgia generally require mobile units to have a commissary unless the unit is fully self-sufficient and approved as such.

A commissary is typically a:

• Licensed commercial kitchen (restaurant, shared kitchen, catering kitchen)
• Approved facility where you:
  • Store food and supplies
  • Wash utensils and equipment
  • Fill potable water tanks
  • Dispose of wastewater and grease properly
  • Store and service the vehicle when not in use

You’ll often need a signed commissary agreement form that the health department must approve.

3. City of Atlanta Business License

If you are doing business in the City of Atlanta, you generally need:

• City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate (business license)

City of Atlanta business services are typically handled through:

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information line: (404) 330-6000 (ask for business licensing / revenue)

You’ll need business license approval alongside your health permit to operate legally.

4. City or Property-Specific Location Permissions

Depending on where you park your truck:

• Private property (e.g., brewery, office park, church lot, shopping center)
  You’ll usually need written permission from the property owner or manager.

• City of Atlanta streets, parks, and public spaces
  You may need:

  • A street vending permit
  • A special events permit (for festivals, races, concerts)
  • Approval from Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation for park locations

Each event or program may have its own application and fee.

5. Other Possible Requirements

• Fire Marshal approval – especially if you use propane, generators, or cooking equipment
• Sales tax registration with the State of Georgia
• Grease trap and waste disposal arrangements (often part of your commissary contract)

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Mobile Unit Food Permit in Atlanta

Step 1: Define Your Concept and Menu

Before you talk to the health department:

• Decide on your menu (tacos, BBQ, seafood, desserts, coffee, etc.)
• Identify what equipment you’ll need (grills, fryers, refrigerators, sinks)
• Decide if you’ll be:
  • Cooking everything on the truck, or
  • Doing prep at a commissary kitchen and finishing on the truck

Your menu helps determine your risk category, equipment needs, and some permit requirements.

Step 2: Secure a Commissary (if required)

For most Atlanta mobile food units:

• Find a licensed commercial kitchen willing to serve as your commissary
• Get a written commissary agreement (the health department usually requires their own form)
• Make sure the commissary:
  • Is in a county that will work with your operation
  • Matches your needs (storage, prep space, dishwashing, ice, etc.)

If your commissary is in Fulton County, you’ll likely stay within Fulton County Environmental Health’s jurisdiction, which simplifies the process for many Atlanta operators.

Step 3: Prepare Your Mobile Unit Plans

Before you buy or build a unit, or before modifying one:

• Sketch or get professional drawings of:
  • Layout (equipment placement, sinks, service window, entry/exit)
  • Plumbing (water tanks, wastewater tanks, lines)
  • Electrical and gas systems (if applicable)
• Identify all materials (floors, walls, ceilings, counters)
• List all equipment with model and spec sheets (refrigeration, cooking, sinks)

Atlanta’s Environmental Health team typically reviews:

• Whether you have the required handwashing sink
• Three-compartment sink (for washing, rinsing, sanitizing)
• Proper hot and cold holding for food
• Adequate water supply and wastewater storage
• Smooth, cleanable interior surfaces

Step 4: Submit an Application to the Appropriate Health Department

For most City of Atlanta–based units with a Fulton commissary, you’ll work with:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Division
  10 Park Place South SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 613-1303

When you apply, you’ll typically submit:

• Completed mobile food service application
• Plan review packet (drawings, layout, equipment list)
• Menu
• Commissary agreement
• Proof of ownership or control of the unit
• Application and plan review fees

The health department will review and may contact you for clarifications or adjustments.

Step 5: Build or Outfit Your Unit to Approved Specs

Once plans are approved:

• Purchase or finish building your food truck or trailer according to the approved plans
• Install:
  • Hand sink and 3-compartment sink
  • Hot water heater of sufficient capacity
  • Refrigeration and hot holding units
  • Wastewater and freshwater tanks (correct sizes and materials)
  • Proper ventilation and fire suppression (if required)

Any changes from the approved plans should be cleared with Environmental Health before final inspection.

Step 6: Schedule and Pass Your Health Inspection

After your unit is ready and the commissary is in place:

• Call the Environmental Health office to schedule an initial inspection
• Be prepared to show:
  • Functioning water system (hot and cold water, proper pressure)
  • Sanitizing procedures and test strips
  • Thermometers for refrigeration and food
  • Proper food storage and labeling
  • Correct wastewater disposal method (often at the commissary)

If you pass:

• You’ll receive your mobile food service permit
• You’ll be assigned a health inspection grade to post on the truck

If you don’t pass, the inspector will note corrections; you’ll make changes and schedule a reinspection.

Step 7: Obtain Your City of Atlanta Business License and Local Permissions

In addition to your health permit:

1. Register your business (LLC, corporation, etc.) with the State of Georgia.
2. Apply for a City of Atlanta business license / occupational tax certificate:
   • Atlanta City Hall – 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
3. For specific locations:
   • Work with event organizers, property owners, or city departments to get:
     • Street vending permits
     • Special event permits
     • Park use permissions, if applicable

Many Atlanta food truck operators combine regular private property gigs (breweries, office parks) with special events and festivals, each with its own permitting or agreement requirements.

Typical Requirements for a Mobile Food Unit in Atlanta

Here are some common expectations Atlanta-area health departments use for mobile units:

Equipment and Layout

• Handwashing sink with hot and cold water
• Three-compartment sink for washing utensils
• Adequate refrigeration (keeping food at 41°F or below)
• Adequate hot holding equipment (135°F or above)
• Smooth, non-absorbent, easily cleanable interior surfaces
• Proper lighting and ventilation

Water and Waste

• Potable water tank of a sufficient size for your operation
• Wastewater tank with capacity typically at least 15–20% larger than the freshwater tank
• Approved method to:
  • Fill water (from approved source)
  • Dispose of wastewater (usually at commissary or approved dump location)

Food Handling and Safety

• Thermometers (probe and unit thermometers)
• Sanitizing solution (chlorine, quaternary ammonium, etc.) with test strips
• Procedures to avoid:
  • Cross-contamination
  • Unsafe cooling or reheating
  • Unsafe holding temperatures

Staffing

• In many cases, at least one person in charge should have food safety training or certification, depending on how the county applies Georgia food code to your operation.

Operating in Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Many Atlanta food trucks move around the metro area. Each county may require something slightly different.

A simple overview:

If your commissary is in one county but you serve in another, call both health departments to clarify if you need:

• Just your home county permit, or
• An additional permit or approval where you operate

Costs and Timelines (What to Expect)

Exact fees change over time, but you can generally expect costs for:

• Plan review
• Mobile food service permit
• Annual renewal fee
• City of Atlanta business license
• Event or vending permits, where applicable

Timelines can vary, but common patterns in Atlanta include:

• Plan review: several weeks, depending on volume and completeness
• Build-out of unit: varies based on whether you’re buying pre-built or custom
• Initial inspection scheduling: usually days to a few weeks once you’re ready

Starting the process early—especially for plan review and commissary agreements—helps you avoid delays in launching your truck.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Mobile Food Operators

• Start with the health department: Before buying a truck, trailer, or cart, talk to Environmental Health so you don’t invest in a unit that can’t be approved.
• Choose your commissary carefully: Proximity to your usual serving areas (Midtown, Downtown, Westside, East Atlanta, etc.) can make or break your daily logistics.
• Keep your paperwork organized: Always have copies of your health permit, inspection grade, business license, and commissary agreement on the unit.
• Ask about fire and building codes: For trucks with propane or heavy cooking, coordinate with the local Fire Marshal or fire department.
• Plan for events: Major Atlanta events (festivals, sports events, BeltLine programs) may require extra steps or lead time for approvals.

By following these steps—starting with the county health department, securing a commissary, and then layering on City of Atlanta business and location permissions—you can legally operate a mobile food unit in Atlanta, GA and focus on serving your menu instead of worrying about compliance.